Indian Antiquary Vol 28

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 26

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[JANUARY, 1899.
watershed, lies in a direct line about 2 miles to the north-east of Juvar. Along the slopes of the little spurs, which enclose the glen like an amphitheatre, I found numerous traces of old babitations. Their walls and terraces were generally far more decayed than those of the ruins near Kingargalai. This is in all probability due to the thick jungle which covers this site. The series of fine springs which issue at the foot of the hill-slopes and feed the Charrai stream explains sufficiently the presence of so many ancient dwelling places in this secluded nook of the mountains.
Rock sculptures near Juvur. - Ascending the spur in the centre of the amphitheatre described, to a height of about 300 feet above the little plain at the bottom of the glen, I reached the rock-cut images of which one of my Juvur informants had told me. The remnants of old walls stretch up close to the foot of the large rock which bears these relievos. The south face of the rock offers a flat and nearly vertical surface abont 33 feet long and 30 feet high ; on it a tripartite niche has been cut out to a depth of 3) inches. It measures 6 feet 9 inches in length and 5 feet in height; its foot is about 5 feet above the ground. In the centre of the niche is a well-carved relievo figure of Siva, 4 feet 6 inches high, showing the god seated, with his left leg reaching below the seat and the left hand holding the club. On either side of this central image is a smaller figure about 2 feet 9 inches high representing a god seated with crossed legs. The one on the proper left holds in the left hand a lotus on a stalk, and evidently represents Vishnu. The figure on the proper right, which has become more effaced, seems to sit on an open lotos and is probably intended for Brahman. All three figures are surmounted by balos.
There can be no doubt as to these sculptures being anterior to the Muhammadan invasion; probably they are of a considerably earlier date. This may be concluded with good reason from the boldness and good proportions still observable in the design of the relievos, not withstanding the decay which has overtaken the more exposed portions. To the damage caused by atmospheric influences has been added some chipping done by mischievous hands apparently not so very long ago. Treasure-seekers seem also to have recently been at work here as shown hy some small excavations at the foot of the rock. In view of the interest attaching to these sculptures, I regret that no photograph could be obtained of them. They are approached only by a narrow ledge some 3 feet broad, and the rock below them falls off with great steepness. The carvings are thus visible only for one standing immediately before them or from some considerable distance.
The purely Hindu character of these rock sculptures and of those subsequently examined at Bhai near Padshāh is a point deserving special notice. It is an additional proof of the fact that Buddhism, which from the exclusive reference made to it in our written records - the accounts of the Chinese pilgrims - may be supposed to have been the predominant creed in the old Udyāna, was there as elsewhere in India closely associated with all popular features of the Hindu religions system. This conclusion is fully supported by what other evidence is at present available. Thus the coins struck by the rulers of these regions, from the times of the later Kushans down to the last Hindu Shāhiyas,' show an almost unbroken snecession of Hindu, and more particularly Saiva, devices.
Ascending from Tangai to a saddle in the spor to the west, I obtained a good view of the Karakār Pass and the valley leading up to it from Jurur, but did not notice any more ruins in this direction. I then returned to the glen and proceeded ti the small rocky hill known as Nil Dérai, which flanks the road from Tangai to Javor on the east. I found it covered on the south face with a series of ancient walls supporting terraces and with masses of débris which evidently belonged to higher structures now completely decayed. These walls stretch up to the very top of the hill which forms a small plateau of irregular skape about 86 yards long from east to west and in the middle about 20 yards broad. All round the top foundations of old walls could be traced, by means of wbich the available space had been enlarged,